Guests must be ready at the Meeting Point (in front of the Cibali Tram Station) at 09:00 AM sharp. Please arrive at least 10 minutes earlier to ensure a smooth departure for your Princes island tour.
Bosphorus Sunset Cruise in Istanbul | Private Yacht Tours
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Istanbul Prince's Island Tour
12 photos
Duration
8 Hours
Max People
50 People
Availability
All Year
Pick-up & Drop-Off
Exclude
Audio guide
On-demand, anytime
Written guide
Historical context
12 languages
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Audio Guide
by BOSPHORUS SUNSET
While your guide narrates in English on board, follow every landmark in your own language. Pause, rewind, or revisit the Bosphorus anytime — even after the tour.
🇹🇷 Türkçe
🇬🇧 English
🇩🇪 Deutsch
🇷🇺 Русский
🇫🇷 Français
🇮🇹 Italiano
🇯🇵 日本語
🇨🇳 中文
🇪🇸 Español
🇸🇦 العربية
🇵🇹 Português
🇰🇷 한국어
A day on the Princes Islands, by ferry
This is the budget version of the Princes Islands: the public ferry from Kabataş, plus a guide for the day on Büyükada — the largest and most-visited island. Total cost is €60 per person because it uses the normal ferry system rather than a private yacht. The ferry itself is part of the experience — 90 minutes each way through the Sea of Marmara with coastal views you’d never see from the Bosphorus.
The itinerary: 9 AM meet at Kabataş ferry terminal, take the public fast ferry to Büyükada. On the island you’ll have a walking and horse-and-carriage tour covering the main landmarks — the late-19th century wooden mansions on the uphill streets, the neoclassical Splendid Hotel, the Greek Orthodox monastery at the top of the highest hill (optional additional climb), and the small harbour with its fish restaurants. Lunch is on you — most people eat at a harbour restaurant (budget about €15–25 per person).
The return ferry leaves mid-afternoon; you’re back in central Istanbul by 5 or 6 PM.
Note: Büyükada banned horse-and-carriages in 2020 for animal welfare reasons. Replacement electric vehicles now serve the island — your tour uses those. Bicycles are also available to rent at the harbour if you prefer.
Who this is for: solo travellers and couples on a budget, anyone who wants the Princes Islands experience without committing to €800 for a private yacht. For the private swimming version, see the yacht swimming tour. For private yacht to the islands without swimming, see the Princes Island yacht tour.
Practical: comfortable walking shoes (cobblestone streets, some hills). The ferry runs year-round but the island is busiest July–August. For a quieter visit, book May, June, or September.
Included/Excluded
- Lunch
- Guiding service
- Bosphorus Boat Tickets
- Drinks
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
Tour Plan
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Prince's Island Tour – Itinerary
Meeting Point
Guests gather at the designated meeting point in central Istanbul.
Ferry Ride to the Princes’ Islands
Scenic cruise across the Sea of Marmara with city views.
Arrival in Büyükada
Introduction to the island and its peaceful atmosphere.
Island Exploration
See Ottoman mansions, traditional wooden houses, and pine forests.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant
Enjoy Turkish cuisine with beautiful sea views.
Free Time on the Island
Relax, take photos, or explore the coastline.
Return Ferry to Istanbul
Afternoon boat ride back to the city.
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Meeting Point (In front of the Cibali Tram Station)
Day tour of the Princes Islands from Istanbul by public ferry. 9 AM meeting at Kabataş, 90-minute ferry to Büyükada, walking and electric-vehicle tour of the main sites, free time for lunch at the harbour. Return by 5–6 PM. From €60 per person — licensed guide, ferry tickets, island tour included.
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Frequently Asked Questions
We take the public ferry from Kabatas pier together as a group. The ferry ride takes about 1 hour and is a scenic experience itself.
We visit Buyukada, the largest and most popular Princes Island. It has the best infrastructure for visitors with restaurants, historic mansions, and beautiful walking paths.
No. Motor vehicles are banned on the islands. Transportation is by eco-friendly electric vehicles and bicycles, which keeps the atmosphere peaceful and quiet.
Yes, lunch at a seaside restaurant on Buyukada is included. Fresh fish and traditional Turkish dishes with sea views.
Yes, the ferry operates year-round. Winter visits are quieter and have a unique charm, though some island restaurants may be closed.
€60,00
Dorothy Bailey (verified owner) –
We had a fantastic day. The ferry trip was smooth and scenic. The island is gorgeous, full of beautiful old houses and pine trees. Highly recommended.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Dorothy! A smooth scenic ferry trip to an island full of beautiful old houses and pine trees is exactly what makes this tour so popular. We appreciate your recommendation!
Carlotta Bianchi (verified owner) –
Un’esperienza meravigliosa! L’isola è incantevole, abbiamo noleggiato una bicicletta e girato tutta l’isola. Il pranzo al ristorante sul mare con vista sulla costa asiatica è stato indimenticabile. Torneremo sicuramente!
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Grazie, Carlotta! Noleggiare una bicicletta e girare tutta l’isola è un’avventura speciale. Il pranzo con vista mare completa un’esperienza meravigliosa!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Mary Turner (verified owner) –
Çok güzel bir gün! (A very beautiful day!) Even though we don’t speak Turkish, the guide was great. The island is peaceful and the food was amazing. A perfect trip.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Mary! We are delighted our guide made the experience great even across language barriers. The peaceful island and amazing food are what make this tour so special!
Astrid Lindgren (verified owner) –
En underbar dag! Ön är så vacker och fridfull. Vi hyrde cyklar och utforskade hela ön. Lunchen vid havet var jättegod. Ett måste om du vill uppleva en lugnare sida av Istanbul.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Tack sa mycket, Astrid! Att hyra cyklar och utforska hela on ar det basta sattet att uppleva Buyukada. Glad att lunchen vid havet var jattegod!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Lucas Martin (verified owner) –
Très bonne excursion. L’île est paisible et agréable à explorer à pied ou à vélo. Le déjeuner était bon. J’enlève une étoile car nous aurions aimé un peu plus de temps libre pour nager.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Merci, Lucas! L’ile est vraiment paisible et agreable a explorer. Nous comprenons le souhait d’avoir plus de temps libre — nous en tiendrons compte. A bientot!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Jennifer Collins (verified owner) –
Una giornata fantastica! L’isola è un gioiello. Il giro in carrozza è stato molto suggestivo. Il pranzo al ristorante locale era eccellente. Consigliatissimo!
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Grazie, Jennifer! Siamo felici che l’isola sia stata un gioiello per voi e che il pranzo al ristorante locale fosse eccellente. Speriamo di rivedervi per un’altra giornata fantastica!
Helene Fischer (verified owner) –
Ein wunderschöner Ausflug! Die Insel ist eine Oase der Ruhe. Die alten Holzhäuser und die Pinienwälder sind bezaubernd. Das Mittagessen mit Meerblick war hervorragend. Sehr zu empfehlen für alle, die eine Pause vom Trubel Istanbuls suchen.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Herzlichen Dank, Helene! Die Insel als Oase der Ruhe mit bezaubernden Holzhausern und Pinienwaldern — wunderschon beschrieben. Das Mittagessen mit Meerblick rundet den perfekten Ausflug ab!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Lily Roberts (verified owner) –
Lovely day trip. Very relaxing. The only minor issue was finding the exact meeting point, but the guide was there and helpful. The island is gorgeous.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Lily! We’re glad our guide was there and helpful despite the meeting point confusion. We’ll work on making it clearer. The island’s beauty makes it all worthwhile!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team
Rachel Bennett (verified owner) –
Unforgettable experience. The Princes’ Island tour is a must for anyone visiting Istanbul. The contrast between the city and the island is amazing. The lunch was delicious.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, Rachel! We agree the contrast between Istanbul and the island is amazing. A must-do for anyone visiting the city is exactly what we aim for!
David Adams (verified owner) –
Highly recommend this day trip. The scenery is stunning. We took a horse-drawn carriage tour and then had a lovely seafood lunch. A perfect day.
Bosphorus Sunset Team –
Thank you, David! A horse-drawn carriage tour followed by a lovely seafood lunch — that’s the classic Buyukada experience at its best. So glad it was a perfect day!
— Bosphorus Sunset Team